About
FareStart is a Seattle-based nonprofit that uses food as a platform to change lives. Combining job training with social enterprise businesses, FareStart helps youth and adults who face barriers to employment — including poverty and homelessness — build careers in the foodservice industry, while its kitchens produce millions of meals for the community.
Mission
FareStart transforms lives, disrupts poverty, and nourishes communities through food, life skills, and job training.
What they do
- Job training — foodservice career programs including the Food Pathways Program and the Barista and Customer Service Program, which pair hands-on kitchen and service experience with life skills instruction.
- Food security — community and school meal programs that supply prepared meals to nonprofits, shelters, schools, and community centers.
- Social enterprise dining — restaurant, cafe, catering, private event, and Guest Chef Night operations that generate revenue, provide real-world training environments, and connect the public to FareStart's work.
- Consulting — services that share FareStart's model and expertise with other organizations.
History
FareStart was established in 1992, built on an innovative model that combines job training with social enterprise businesses. The organization also received its IRS tax-exempt ruling in June 1992.
Scale and impact
Over three decades, FareStart reports that it has served nearly 15,000 youth and adults in its job training programs and provided 19 million meals to nonprofits, shelters, schools, and community centers.
Values
FareStart states core values of acceptance, respect, openness, collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and growth, alongside a commitment to antiracism.
Financials
According to ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer, FareStart (EIN 91-1546757) reported revenue of $14,654,450, expenses of $15,060,357, and net assets of $17,383,686 for fiscal year 2024. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit classified under Employment, Job-Related / Vocational Training.